Review: THE MARIJUANA MURDERS by Mark S. Bacon

As part of a blog tour organized by Goddess Fish promotions, I recently read The Marijuana Murders by Mark S. Bacon.

About the Book

Nostalgia City executive Kate Sorensen finds the body of a mechanic crushed under an automobile hoist in the theme park’s garage. Accident or murder? Will it impact Kate’s decision to become an advisor for one of two competing campaigns to legalize marijuana in Arizona?

When the death is ruled a homicide and the DEA stages a surprise raid, park cab driver Lyle Deming is recruited to help solve the murder and find out if the park’s garage is being used to smuggle drugs. The anxiety-ridden ex-cop is soon poking around a Mexican border town looking for a park contractor who might be a drug mule. Or he might be dead.

Meanwhile, Kate, a 6-2 former college basketball star, is in the middle of a heated clash between potential corporate control of pot marketing and a laid-back, grow-your-own approach. As Kate wonders whether she should mediate or advocate, she’s forced to dash for her life. Amid setbacks and threats, she and Lyle must sort through interwoven crimes, a tangle of evidence, and dark suspects.

Then there’s another murder.

The Marijuana Murders is the third novel in this mystery series set in Nostalgia City, a theme park that re-creates—in every detail—a small town from the 1970s.

Buy links:  Amazon Kindle    Amazon Print

My Review

I was drawn to  this book for two reasons – its unique setting (a 1970s theme park) and the issues at the heart of the mystery – drug smuggling and the movement to legalize marijuana. The main characters, Kate and Lyle were believable and each add their own perspectives to the investigation, which takes multiple turns, with red herrings and twists along the way.   An intriguing mystery that kept me engaged throughout.

This well written novel offers readers an added value – it provides insights into the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana use, and into the complex politics of the process. In addition, the vivid descriptions of  the Nostalgia City theme park brought the novel setting to life and evoked memories of an era long past.

Content advisory: If you are offended by the use of profanity, this book might not be for you. 

FTC disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review.

Giveaway

Mark S. Bacon is awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click to and enter for your chance to  win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway.

To visit the other stops on this blog tour, click here.